The effect of daylength and weather conditions on the time spent by western grey kangaroos ( Macropus fuliginosus) on farmland

Abstract

Remote sensing cameras were used to monitor the time that western grey kangaroos ( Macropus fuliginosus) spent moving to and from farmland from a 300-ha remnant of Wandoo woodland at Baker's Hill in the southwest of Western Australia. From May to October, the kangaroos went onto farmland in the 2 h around sunset and most remained there all night, returning in the 2 h around dawn. The average time spent on farmland was 12 h. During the summer and autumn, the main movements were around sunset and sunrise but many individuals moved to or from farmland during the night. As a consequence, less time was spent on farmland with an average of 5.5 h in January and February. Only ∼ 40% of the variation in the average time of movements to and from farmland was accounted for by variation in environmental conditions, with time of sunset or sunrise, respectively, being the major factor. In summer (December-March), the animals moved from farmland earlier on hot days, but delayed their return if it was wet. Wind had no discernible effect on the time of movements.